If Lehman Brothers was buying uranium yellowcake as revealed last Friday (Everything must go – and that includes the uranium, 4 September) they should never have been left to their own devices. Why was established procedure not used – send in the armed forces to execute the leadership, parachute in and distribute billions of dollars, then run it with a US and UK military coalition? Far less costly, and probably more humane.

Mark Lewinski

Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire

• Being an overweight diabetic with a heart complaint, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, I was most interested in Phil Daoust's advice (I've taken control back over my life, 3 September) on how to sort myself out. However, there is something holding me back, now what is it? Oh yes, I have to go to work every day and find swimming for three or four hours not very convenient. I think there is something else but can't seem to think of it... Oh, I know. I don't live in France next to a lake. Thanks Phil anyway, most useful.

Robert Buckley

Kendal, Cumbria

• It would have been foolish of G8 finance ministers to impose a cap on future bonuses for senior bankers (France turns up heat over banker bonuses, 5 September). Many of these ministers will, no doubt, be rushing through the revolving door on to the boards of major banks when their respective electorates throw them out.

Tony Rhodes

Ottery St Mary, Devon

• In the obituary for Keith Waterhouse (5 September) we were told "his background was unauspicious" (sic). The great man could have got 2,000 words out of that sentence.

Paul Hewitson

Berlin, Germany

• In his speech (Report, 5 September) the prime minister said "our aim in 2009 is the same as in 2001". Surely this is the principal problem.

Tom Lyne

Brussels, Belgium

• In Bordeaux last month we felt it our duty to visit the Customs Museum (Letters, 4 September), but the heat made it just too taxing.